Gymnastic apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a gymnastic apparatus having a rigid bar provided with at least two gripping areas for manual holding by a user and having at least two elastic ropes fitted to end regions of the bar. The gymnastic apparatus is characterized in that for the detachable fastening of the ropes to the end regions of the bar fastening means are provided, the fastening means are set up for manual release and fitting of the ropes by a user in such a way that for different gymnastic exercises ropes with a first elasticity can be replaced by ropes with a second elasticity, different from the first elasticity, by a user of the gymnastic apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a gymnastic apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a gymnastic apparatus is known and comprises a rigid bar, which has at least two gripping areas for manual holding by a user. There are also at least two elastic ropes fitted to end regions of the bar.

Such gymnastic apparatuses enable the user to perform numerous exercises, such as are carried out for invalid or patient gymnastics or in the fitness studio. Such exercises increase endurance, strength, the coordination capacity and the fitness of a user.

An object of the invention is to provide a gymnastic apparatus making it possible to perform difference exercises. As a function of the user, the apparatus must allow gymnastic exercises to take place with different expenditures of energy.

This object is achieved by the gymnastic apparatus having the features of claim 1.

Preferred developments of the inventive apparatus form the subject matter of the dependent claims and are also explained in the description, particularly relative to the drawing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The gymnastic apparatus of the aforementioned type is inventively further developed in that for the detachable fastening of the ropes to the end regions of the bar fastening means are provided, that the fastening means are set up for manual release and attachment of the ropes by a user, so that for different gymnastic exercises ropes with a first elasticity can be replaced by ropes with a second elasticity, different from the first elasticity, by a user of the gymnastic apparatus.

This further development is based on the finding that it is expedient to use ropes having different elasticities for different exercises. As a result a gymnastic apparatus is provided, which can e.g. be rapidly converted into a gymnastic apparatus for a different user with a different physical strength.

It is an essential advantage of the invention that a gymnastic apparatus of the aforementioned type is provided, which permits training possibilities with corresponding expenditure of energy for users having different strengths.

A further advantage of the invention is that the gymnastic apparatus can be used more easily compared with the prior art.

The elastic ropes can in particular be rubber ropes or bands. The vital point is the elastic properties of the materials. The ropes consequently act in the manner of expanders. It is fundamentally possible to use for this purpose known elastic materials and semifinished products.

In a particularly preferred development of the invention the gymnastic apparatus can be split up into at least two parts, so that the gymnastic apparatus can be easily transported and packed away by a user.

In the case where the gymnastic apparatus is split up into two or more parts, this can take place with the aid of a screw coupling, a locking plug connection and/or a bayonet joint. These three variants allow a rapid splitting up or a rapid assembly of the gymnastic apparatus and are also inexpensive to manufacture.

In another preferred variant the bar of the gymnastic apparatus is made from an aluminium tube and/or a plastics material, particularly a glass fibre composite. It is advantageous that such a bar is light, robust and inexpensive to manufacture.

For some gymnastic exercises it is particularly advantageous if the end regions of the bar can be rotated relative to the gripping areas. In a variant such a rotation only takes place within a limited angular range. In a further variant there can be a complete rotation by 360° about the bar axis. This increases the number of exercises which can be performed and increases the range of uses of the gymnastic apparatus.

For better gripping of the gymnastic apparatus the bar gripping areas have in a preferred embodiment of the invention a rubber sleeve. It is also possible to use other materials, such as e.g. plastics, cork or corrugated metal. The gripping areas can be given a shape facilitating easy manual holding of the bar.

In another preferred variant of the invention at least one of the fastening means with which the ropes are fastened to the end regions of the bar is constituted by a spring hook. This allows a rapid release and refastening of the rope to the particular end region of the bar. Particularly if ropes having a different elasticity have to be frequently changed, such spring hooks are advantageous. For example, a spring hook fitted to the rope is fastened to a ring fixed to the gymnastic apparatus bar.

In another embodiment of the invention the ropes are so fitted to the bar that they can be rotated about the same, i.e. about the bar axis. This allows gymnastic exercises in which the ropes are rotated about the bar axis without said ropes winding round the bar, which would lead to undesired rotational forces on the bar. If the ropes are fitted in rotary manner, it is e.g. possible to perform exercises where two loops are held by the user's feet and the bar is freely moved with both hands. The ropes can be rotated about the bar within a given angular range or also by 360°.

In another preferred variant the gymnastic apparatus has pairs of ropes with different lengths and/or different strengths. This makes it possible for an individual user to perform different exercises or for the users with different physical conditions to perform the same exercise.

In another embodiment, for each rope there is at least one loop and preferably several, especially two loops. The gymnastic apparatus can be very advantageously used both with and without loops. When used without loops, the loose rope end of the apparatus can be fastened by knotting in dwellings, e.g. to door or window handles, so as in this way to enable exercises to be performed. If loops are used it is in particular possible to perform exercises where the loops are held by hands or feet. The presence of at least two loops per rope can be advantageous for certain gymnastic exercises.

Additionally or alternatively it is e.g. possible to in each case fit a loop to one or both end regions of the bar.

In a further preferred variant, at the end remote from the bar there are further fastening means, particularly in the form of a further spring hook. By connecting said spring hook to the fastening means directly fitted to the bar or to the rope to which the spring hook is fastened, it is possible to form a rope loop. A user can fasten this loop, e.g. to a door handle and can in this way perform exercises. It is also possible to fit separate and optionally different loops or other components with the aid of further fastening means to the rope ends.

In a preferred embodiment the loops are to be fitted in rotary manner about the rope axis to the rope in question. This permits exercises to be carried out, where e.g. an arm of the user performs circular movements without the given rope twisting. After a certain time twisting would lead to the gymnastic exercise no longer being performable and to the rope having to be firstly untwisted again.

In a variant allowing further exercises, the loops are also made from an elastic material.

It is also advantageous if the loops are manually detachably fastened to the given rope. As a result different loop types can be fastened to the given rope. Use can be made of different loop sizes for different users. Loops with hand grips provide a further possibility. The loops can also be fastened to other gymnastic apparatuses, such as e.g. a wall-bar, which allows further types of exercises.

In a particularly preferred variant the loops are implemented as annular bands.

Further advantages and features of the present invention are explained in greater detail hereinafter relative to the attached drawing, wherein shows:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 An embodiment of an inventive gymnastic apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows an embodiment of an inventive gymnastic apparatus 10 with a rigid bar 20 and two elastic ropes 30. It is also possible to see a rope 30, including loop 50, not yet connected to the rigid bar, to illustrate that different ropes 30 with loops 50 can be fastened to the rigid bar 20.

With the aid of a screw coupling 28, the rigid bar 20 can be split up into a left-hand part 21 and a right-hand part 22. Symmetrically relative to the centre, there are two gripping areas 24, where the rigid bar 20 can be held by the user.

In the present embodiment there are two end regions 26, which do not rotate relative to the gripping areas 24. Each end region 26 has a web 29, so that a strap 46 can be placed round the end region 26 of the bar 20 in such a way that the strap 46 runs under the web 29. The strap 46 is so placed round an end region 26 that the two ends of the strap 46 are interconnected after passing round the end region 26. The two ends can also be interconnected in such a way that a flat band is formed at the connection point. Thus, the strap 46 can be rotated almost completely, i.e. almost by 360°, around the bar 20. Rotation is limited solely by the web 29.

A ring 42 is fastened to the outermost end of the flat band. After firmly interconnecting strap 46 and ring 42, a spring hook 44 can be fastened to the ring 42. The spring hook 44 can be looked upon as the upper end of a rope 30 and to whose lower end is fastened a loop 50 in the form of an annular band 52. Both parts 21, 22 of the rigid bar 20 are connected by the same fastening means 40 to the given rope 30.

To illustrate the fact that the ropes 30 can be interchanged, at the bottom of FIG. 1 is shown a further rope 32 with loop 50 and spring hook 44.

The present invention provides a novel gymnastic apparatus with which numerous exercises can be performed and which can also be easily transported and packed away. 

1. Gymnastic apparatus having a rigid bar provided with at least two gripping areas for manual holding by a user and having at least two elastic ropes fitted to end regions of the bar, wherein for the detachable fastening of the ropes to the end regions of the bar fastening means are provided, the fastening means are set up for manual release and fitting of the ropes by a user in such a way that for different gymnastic exercises ropes with a first elasticity can be replaced by ropes with a second elasticity, different from the first elasticity, by a user of the gymnastic apparatus.
 2. Gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bar can be split up into at least two parts for the transportation of the gymnastic apparatus.
 3. Gymnastic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the bar can be split up into at least two parts with the aid of a screw coupling.
 4. Gymnastic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the bar can be split up into at least two parts with the aid of a locking plug connection.
 5. Gymnastic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the bar can be split up into at least two parts with the aid of a bayonet joint.
 6. Gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bar is made from an aluminium tube.
 7. Gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bar is made from plastic, particularly a glass fibre composite.
 8. Gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the end regions can be rotated at least in an angular range relative to the gripping areas of the bar.
 9. Gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gripping areas of the bar have a rubber sleeve.
 10. Gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one fastening means is a spring hook.
 11. Gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one fastening means is a spring hook with a ring fastened to the bar.
 12. Gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ropes are fitted to the bar so as to rotate about the same at least in an angular range.
 13. Gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there are pairs of ropes with at least one of different lengths and different strengths.
 14. Gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein on each rope there is at least one loop.
 15. Gymnastic apparatus according to claim 14, wherein on each rope there are two loops.
 16. Gymnastic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at the end remote from the bar each rope has further fastening means.
 17. Gymnastic apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the further fastening means have a spring hook.
 18. Gymnastic apparatus according to claim 14, wherein, on the given rope, the loops are fitted so as to rotate about the rope axis.
 19. Gymnastic apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the loops are fastened in manually releasable manner to the given rope.
 20. Gymnastic apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the loops are in the form of annular bands.
 21. Gymnastic apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the loops are formed from an elastic material.
 22. Gymnastic apparatus having a rigid bar provided with at least two gripping areas for manual holding by a user and having at least two elastic ropes fitted to end regions of the bar, wherein for the detachable fastening of the ropes to the end regions of the bar fastening means are provided, the fastening means are set up for manual release and fitting of the ropes by a user in such a way that for different gymnastic exercises ropes with a first elasticity can be replaced by ropes with a second elasticity, different from the first elasticity, by a user of the gymnastic apparatus, wherein the bar can be split up into at least two parts for the transportation of the gymnastic apparatus, wherein the end regions can be rotated at least in an angular range relative to the gripping areas of the bar, and wherein the ropes are fitted to the bar so as to rotate about the same at least in an angular range.
 23. Gymnastic apparatus having a rigid bar provided with at least two gripping areas for manual holding by a user and having at least two elastic ropes fitted to end regions of the bar, wherein for the detachable fastening of the ropes to the end regions of the bar fastening means are provided, the fastening means are set up for manual release and fitting of the ropes by a user in such a way that for different gymnastic exercises ropes with a first elasticity can be replaced by ropes with a second elasticity, different from the first elasticity, by a user of the gymnastic apparatus, wherein the bar can be split up into at least two parts for the transportation of the gymnastic apparatus, wherein the end regions can be rotated at least in an angular range relative to the gripping areas of the bar, wherein the ropes are fitted to the bar so as to rotate about the same at least in an angular range, wherein on each rope there is at least one loop, and wherein, on the given rope, the loops are fitted so as to rotate about the rope axis. 